Archaeologists in Ireland have uncovered a 5,500-year-old megalithic passage tomb which has been dubbed the “find of a lifetime”.

Archaeological research carried out by argi-technology company Devenish and University College Dublin (UCD) School of Archaeology unearthed the “significant” discovery in Co Meath.

The excavation uncovered the new find in the Bru na Boinne – Boyne Valley Tombs – World Heritage Site.

“ "This is the most significant megalithic find in Ireland in the last 50 years, since the excavation of Knowth. The spate of archaeological discoveries in Brú na Bóinne in recent weeks highlights what a globally significant place this is". – Dr Stephen Davis, @ucdarchaeology pic.twitter.com/Y0tzbH8G49

— University College Dublin (@ucddublin) July 16, 2018

To date, two burial chambers have been discovered within the western part of the main passage tomb, over which a large stone cairn – 40 metres in diameter – was raised.

The six kerbstones that have been identified so far would have formed part of a ring of stones that followed the cairn perimeter.

One kerbstone is heavily decorated with neolithic carvings and represents one of the most impressive discoveries of megalithic art in Ireland for decades.

“To say this is big news is an understatement. The passage tomb (AND a number of satellite tombs!!!!) is the biggest discovery in the Boyne Valley, if not Irish archaeology, in decades.@DiscoverBoyneV @irarchaeology @ancienteastIRL @philipbromwell @ucddublin @ucdarchaeology pic.twitter.com/m6qrwCRUfF

— Ciarán McDonnell (@DrCiaranMcDonn) July 16, 2018

During the project, a further two possible satellite tombs were also found.

Dr Cliodhna Ni Lionain, Devenish’s lead archaeologist for the project, said: “For the archaeologists involved in this discovery, it is truly the find of a lifetime.”

Dr Steve Davis, from UCD School of Archaeology, said: “This is the most significant megalithic find in Ireland in the last 50 years, since the excavation of Knowth.